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The rebuilding of the Rhinos under coach Bob Lilley has begun with the signing of three players with USL PRO experience, including one former Rochester MVP and the goalkeeper who could replace Kristian Nicht. They are: hard-working center midfielder Tyler Rosenlund and former all-league central defender Kyle Hoffer and goalkeeper Alex Horwath, who played with Tampa Bay in the USL last year.

"Our first three signings of the off-season are experienced players in our league who have the potential to help us reach our goal of returning to the playoffs and competing for a championship." Lilley said in a statement from the Rhinos. "Tyler is a quality two-way midfielder who has been with the club since 2010. Hoffer is a solid piece at center back with three years of experience in our league. He's only 24, but he's already been named to the All-League team and won a championship with Charleston. Horwath is a good keeper who has gained experience in the league over the past two years. He's a good athlete with good technique, and we're excited to have him."

Rosenlund, named the Rhinos' MVP in 2011, was one of Lilley's initial signings in 2010 during the coach's first tenure with the Rhinos and his work rate is something Lilley loves. This season, Rosenlund will become the 15th player in Rhinos history to play five or more seasons with Rochester. He also was part of division-winning Rochester clubs in 2010 and 2011 under Lilley, who'll also have returnees Lance Rozeboom and 2012 Rhinos MVP J.C. Banks back. Forward Matt Luzunaris, who missed most of last year with a broken leg, is also under contract, but 2013 MVP Danny Earls is a free agent. The club hopes to bring Earls back, team president Pat Ercoli said on Wednesday.

Hoffer who might fill the center back role anchoring the back line that Troy Roberts did from 2010-2013, was a key member of the 2012 USL PRO champion Charleston Battery. Before that, he was a second-team all-league pick for FC New York in 2011 and last year he captained Tampa Bay, a playoff team that included Rochester Lancers head coach Josh Rife and forward Mauricio Salles.

Horwath is headed into his fifth pro season. He was with the New York Red Bulls in 2010 and 2011 before joining Wilmington, where he played every minute of every match in 2012. Rochester is coming off its worst season and its first in which it missed the playoffs. Look for the USL PRO schedule to be released soon and the Rhinos' home opener to be in late April. Lilley returned in the fall after taking two seasons off. The USL Hall-of-Fame coach led Rochester to a pair of division titles in 2010 and 2011. He also was a successful coach with USL clubs in Hershey, Montreal and Vancouver, where his 2006 club beat the Rhinos for the league title in Rochester. He replaces Ercoli, who returned to coach on an interim basis last year after second-year man Jesse Myers was let go after a slow start.